Cop scores big with Tivoli kids

Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer

It may have been Prime Minister Bruce Golding hosting a fun day for the children of Tivoli Gardens, west Kingston, but the real rock star at the event was police Sergeant Nicholas Charlton.

Charlton moved effortlessly among the crowd of Tivoli Gardens residents, flanked by more than 10 children at a time, at the back-to-school treat and summer concert held yesterday at the Bumps basketball court in the community.

A request for the sergeant to be pulled away for a few minutes was unwelcome.

"We can have him back?" a child named Dwayne asked after a few minutes.

Abby, Tiana, Sharlotte, Shakur, Dwayne and Devaughn all lined up to make sure Charlton would find time for them at the back-to-school treat.

"A we friend and we father," Abby said, with a tight grip on the police officer's hand.

Charlton, a father of two children of his own, said the Tivoli Gardens children have grown attached to him over the past three months.

"They show great love to me," he said with a smile. "They also comply with me and I love the children."

Community-based policing

Since the west Kingston operation in May, many persons have expressed distrust towards politicians and the police.

However, Charlton is one of many officers at the Tivoli Gardens command post who carry out community-based policing every day.

Aside from carrying it out, Charlton, who reads with the children and helps them with spelling, said he believes in community policing.

"I believe it is the way to go, get to know the residents so they can trust you and you can correct them when they're wrong," he explained.

With approximately 3,000 people expected at the event, children age 6-12 had a Ferris wheel, swings, a rock-climbing interface and bounceabouts at their disposal.

Hands filled with drinks and cotton candy, the children were high on energy, running wild, laughing and holding hands.

But amid the laughter, there were indignant shouts from parents who wanted their toddlers and teenagers to be able to enjoy the fun day despite the age limit.

Protective mothers watched from a distance.

"Anything wha wrong wid me pickney, mi have the public defender phone number. You hear, Officer?"

And for those who didn't have the public defender's phone number, their voices called out to Sergeant 'Charlie' Charlton.

laura.redpath@gleanerjm.com